Monday, August 3, 2009

Hungry, Dahling?

Saturday, August 1st

Up betimes. Crept downstairs so as not to wake the sleeping prince, put on the kettle and fixed myself a frugal breakfast (bread, cheese, tea, cherries). I was eager to get the mealtime ministrations out of the way so I could concentrate on my newest infatuation.

That would be Sophie Dahl's new cookbook memoir, "Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights."

It arrived on Friday via Amazon.co.uk. (It will be published here in 2010.) Based on stellar reviews and recipes excerpted in the Daily Mail, I was not prepared to wait that long. I will just have to make the gas mark and imperial pint adjustments on my own.

The Divine Italian returned home from his morning bike ride just as my excitement reached a fever pitch. I needed to share with someone how fab this book was. Sly minx that I am, I waited until he was in the midst of his post-ride yoga stretches. He's a captive audience then. I plonked the book down in front of him.

Him: (suspiciously) What's that?

Me: Sophie Dahl's new cookbook.

Him: Who's Sophie Dahl?

Me: Roald's granddaughter. Former zaftig supermodel. Used to date Mick Jagger. (rollingeyes) Sometimes you are so straight.

I opened the book to this particularly luscious-looking spread. His reaction was swift.

Him: What's that?

Me: Omelette with carmelized onion and Red Leicester cheese.

Him: I'm starving.

I turned the page.

Me: Isn't the photography amazing? I love how everything is styled. Look at those rumpled linens tied with twine.

Lisa, This is a wonderful book, honestly-I was reading through mine last night! I have a cookbook fetish-I don't actually do a great deal of cooking. I just parted with the banding around the book last night-should have kept it as a marker, I may have to retrieve it.Yes the photography is delicious looking ,as are the dishes.

tee hee ... well played lisa! i know i have said this before, but i love your writing style ... if i was miss dahl, i would be so delighted with this most delectable posting that has all of us drooling to have our own copies ...thanks so much ~ bon appetit!prairiegirl

Thank you dear Lisa. Just got back from London and was so loaded down with books (from Daunts and Persephone) and couldn't squeeze this one in unfortunately. Thanks to your link to "Stuck in a Book" I visited the Fabiola exhibition at Nat'l Portrait Gallery. Also saw the Waterhouse and Summer Exhibition at Royal Academy. Do you know Ben Pentreath (benpentreath.com) near Persephone? Also finally visited Chelsea Arts Club....yay! A nice contrast to the Reform Club, our usual haunt. Was also able to get into the Wolesely for dinner. Double yay! More later...

I've made her banana bread recipe which is delicious, especially for breakfast - dark and quite heavy - though it defeats me why I can't eat things like that and look like Sophie Dahl! I love your pretty breakfast setting. Makes me ashamed to think of all my pretty china sitting unused in cupboards.

Glamorous: Smooches to you. And you're not lazy to wait, you'll have an easier time not translating all the cooking instructions(!)

KT: I have three fail-safe ways of getting the D.I.'s attention: mid-stretch, mid-hot tub and mid-martini.

Little Augury: Ugh, my pink banding came all crumpled up so I tossed it. I would have kept it otherwise. Love that you have a cookbook fetish too!

Paperback Reader, PVE, Pamela Terry and Consummate Hostess: Check out the Daily Mail recipes excerpted from her book. Maybe they'll hold you over until the US version is published. xx

Gig: You're welcome! Have a wonderful time in London!

Pigtown: NO, I don't have the Petersham book, but I know all about it and am totally intrigued by Skye Gingell. Have read many an article on her in Tatler, British Vogue, etc. I have a feeling that thanks to you, I'll be ordering that book later today. :)

Prairie Girl: Smooches to you as well...your comments always make my day.

Pimms and Lemonade: It sounds like you did it ALL. How lovely that you went to the Chelsea Arts Club. Haven't been to the Wolseley yet, but want to, was it great? And oh, Stuck in a Book is the best, isn't he?

And benpentreath.com is SICK. INSANE. AMAZING. (How did I not know about this?) I will be spending the rest of the day on their website placing an imaginary order.

Architect Design: Yes, cherries this year ARE spectacular. I love that we are eating the same breakfast thousands of miles apart...although soon, you'll be feasting on pain au chocolate et une "noisette" (espresso with a dash of cream, mmmm)!

M: 1. I will have to make that banana bread now that you've told me it's delicious.2. I know, it's so unfair she looks like that (but she sounds absolutely lovely, so we can't begrudge her!)3. USE the good china. What are you waiting for?

Laura: The borscht is calling to me too. The Daily Mail has the recipe if you want to make it. Check the link I provided.

Cookbooks: I don't cook but I do 'read' cookbook pictures. Stylist here and photographer created evocative and lush images.Book looks delicous.In UK Sophie is a best-selling author of some years and very beloved as she is unpretentious and Rubenesque...Cheers, www.thestylesaloniste.com

I had a lovely giggle over this post! I shall definitely be looking out for the cookbook now. I have been reading your blog for a few months now and am always so impressed by your lovely pictures and great sense of style.

Oh Joy! The one time I am glad to have Amazon.co.uk - must order that book! You may like Sarah Raven's Garden Cookbook which is a veritable feast for the eyes (as is her Great Vegetable Plot.) Also what to eat now by Valentine Warner- for a lanky posh bloke he becomes incredibly sexy in the kitchen!

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. everything: the good news about you, your morning tea party and your "tale of enchantment" of the Divine Italian - I think the smile on my face will last me all day!!!And that book.....I am salivating, as I approach lunch time here !!!

Umm, out of curiosity, did the Divine Italian deliver?The book is gorgeous, of course, but what I love is your little breakfast spread. Beautiful right down to that little linen napkin. I bet it is old and embroidered. Absolutely enchanting!

Kim: I loved watching Sarah Raven and her husband Adam Nicolson's attempts to restore his family home on BBC's recent documentary series, "Sissinghurst." Sarah struck me as immensely practical -- will check out her cookbook as well as Valentine Warner's. Thank you!

Angie: The Divine Italian made the Paris mache and it was seriously delicious. And that napkin (1 or 8) was bought my my mother in Majorca in the '60's and never used until I got ahold of them...:) One MUST use things, I believe. Otherwise they are handed down to the next generation devoid of memories.

Another 2 fabulous reads where the art of cooking and writing are perfectly married: Honey from a Weed by Patience Gray (wild rosemary and stone mortars and centuries old recipes from Catalan women dressed in black...) and Writing at the Kitchen table by Artemis Cooper, a biography of Elizabeth David... It makes me want to start kneading bread dough on a rustic wooden table in an old farmhouse!